Assistant coach Bernie Fine of the Syracuse Orange looks on from the sidelines during their game against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City.

Two words for the “news” of Urban Meyer’s new job coaching Ohio State football. Who cares?

Why in the world are we not talking more about the Bernie Fine Syracuse sex scandal? Specifically, why are we not talking about villain No. 1B and 2 - Laurie Fine, wife of Bernie Fine.

ESPN’s Outside the Lines aired a recorded conversation between Laurie Fine and one of the alleged victim of Bernie Fine’s sexual abuse, Bobby Davis, now 39-years-old. If we are to believe the voice on the recording is that of Mrs. Fine, then her words are more than damning of husband Bernie Fine, who was recently fired from Syracuse due to the allegations of sexually abusing multiple young boys.

Davis, who also says Laurie Fine initiated a sexual relationship with him when he was 18-years-old, says Fine started abusing him at 12-years-old. ESPN says they obtained the tape in 2002.

Fine: But you never had any oral sex with him?

Davis: No.

Fine: No.

Davis: He, he…I think he would want to, but…

Fine: Oh, of course he would! Why wouldn’t he?

Listening to the phone conversation is almost as disturbing as reading the Penn State football grand jury report. Fine’s wife had knowledge of her husband’s alleged abuse and did nothing to stop it. According to Davis, she sometimes watched the abuse take place and said she wished her husband would find “gay boys.” Laurie Fine also alluded to the possibility that her husband abused multiple victims.

But there’s another unsettling component to this Syracuse scandal – the media. ESPN had this tape in possession since 2003 as well as the local newspaper, the Syracuse Post-Standard. Syracuse University officials told the New York Times that neither media entity made the school aware of the tape or allegations according to the Washington Post.

ESPN’s Mark Schwarz said the company needed to confirm that the voice belonged to Laurie Fine. That’s understandable and responsible, but isn’t eight years a bit long for the confirmation process?

Something feels very odd about this story. And while this tape should bring some answers, it actually leaves more questions.

So what’s your take? Should ESPN and the Post Standard have pushed this story earlier or at, the very least, reported this to Syracuse University officials?

Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is currently tied with Bobby Knight for the most wins in NCAA Division I basketball. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

Winter Park native Austin Rivers could be a part of NCAA men’s basketball history tonight. Rivers, son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, will try to help his coach become the all-time winningest coach in men’s college basketball history.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is just one win shy of setting a new Division I college men’s basketball record for wins at 903 as the Blue Devils take on Michigan State tonight. Currently, Coach K is tied with his mentor Bobby Knight at 902 victories.

ESPN will broadcast the game slated for a 7 p.m. start at Madison Square Garden.

Now that we know the NBA lockout has potential to last for the entire 2011-12 season, it’s nice to know sports fans won’t be completely deprived of their basketball.

Georgetown coach John Thompson III leaves the court after his team lost the NCAA Final Four semifinal game between Georgetown University and Ohio State University at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, March 31, 2007. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel)

In more encouraging news about college sports…

Did you hear about the WWE smackdown men’s basketball game between Georgetown and China? The Hoyas are in China on a 10-day goodwill trip that has been cited by the U.S. State Department as an example of sports diplomacy that strengthens ties between the two countries coinciding with Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to China, according to the Washington Post.

Goodwill and brawls? Insert sarcasm here.

“Tonight, two great teams played a very competitive game that unfortunately ended after heated exchanges with both teams,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said in a statement. “We sincerely regret that this situation occurred.”

Chandler Parsons poses at the University of Florida. (Gary Green, Orlando Sentinel)

Chandler Parsons and Kemba Walker’s future as NBA stars may be uncertain, but that shouldn’t stop them from enjoying some of the perks.

iRenew, a company that produces energy balancing bracelets, hosted a pre-ESPYS award dinner for nominee Kemba Walker and former Florida and Lake Howell basketball player Chandler Parsons was in attendance along with celebrities, Jesse Williams from ABC’s Grey’s Anatony, super model Selita Ebanks and “American Boy” singer Estelle.

Kemba Walker is a ESPYS award nominee for Best Male College Athlete after leading the UConn Huskies to a NCAA men’s basketball title. Walker is up against Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, BYU men’s basketball player Jimmer Fredette, Miami of Ohio hockey forward Andy Miele and Cornell lacrosse attacker Rob Panell.

Kentucky Wildcats guard Brandon Knight poses for a CBS promotional video two days before the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2011 men's college basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium. Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari is known for his ambition to win. But he’s not selfish when it comes to giving up quality players to the NBA draft.

John Calipari said he knew Fort Lauderdale native Brandon Knight needed to test his talents in the 2011 NBA draft.

“I told Brandon, when I knew he was No. 3 through 8, I hugged him and said “I loved coaching ya, I wanna keep coaching you, but you need to do this,” John Calipari told the Orlando Sentinel Friday.

John Calipairi said he believes Brandon Knight will go in the first round of the NBA draft anywhere from the No. 3 to No. 8 pick.

Calipari, North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams and tennis legend Nick Bollettieri were among this year’s honorees in the sixth annual Dick Vitale Gala in Sarasota, FL hosted at the Ritz Carlton. The gala helps to raise funds for the V foundation for cancer research.

John Calipari’s mother died from complications of lung cancer last year.

The Maya Mooreless UConn is ranked No. 6 in the ESPN preseason poll, with Baylor clutching the No. 1 spot. The following sports are No. 2 Tennessee, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 Stanford. The University of Miami ranked No. 8 and Florida State is holding steady in the No. 10 position. The Seminoles’ roster includes First Academy of Orlando graduate Alexa Deluzio.

So do you think ESPN got this list right? Should Texas A&M be higher? Will Florida State finally advance to the Final Four after a string of successful postseason runs?

Despite his team’s semifinal loss in the Final Four, Rodriguez still earned an official invite from the White House as part of the Cinco De Mayo celebration dinner on May 5 according to Yahoo! Sports. You’ll recall Rodriguez also made an appearance on the George Lopez show on TBS recently.

“I’m blown away by this and really can’t believe it,” Rodriguez said on VCU’s website. “This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m truly honored. It’s really a testament to all my teammates and the way we pushed each other to reach goals that only we thought were possible. The past month is something that I’ll never, ever forget.”

Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame brings the ball upcourt against Texas A&M during the 2011 NCAA Women's Final Four championship (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

I get it. Skylar Diggins is beautiful.

What I don’t understand is why after Skylar Diggins and her Notre Dame basketball teammates achieved success in reaching the 2011 NCAA women’s basketball finals, she was rewarded with rumors of nude photos.

Yep, Skylar Diggins is officially popular folks. Skylar Diggins photos, Skylar Diggins nude photos is now a popular google search item when you type in her name.

She has entered the Erin Andrews level of uncomfortable popularity. And that’s a scary thing considering Skylar Diggins is just 20-years-old.

Skylar Diggins denied the photos were her via her twitter account account last week saying, “IDK who is going around trying to deame my character, but its sad. The people that know me and love me know that I would never handle myself in such a careless and classless manner.”

She added, “I can truly say I am hurt by this…I dnt believe how someone could attempt to ruin my name but being untrue. I am stronger than this though,” she said. “I will not run away and hide. There is no reason to…..goodnight and I will be back to continue my thoughts and tweet regularly tomorrow…”

Her response was both heartfelt and heartbreaking because this trend of women achieving success only to be victimized by their looks is shameful.

Like Erin Andrews, Skylar Diggins did nothing to deserve this kind of embarrassing attention from some faceless cowards.

It’s sad that women in sports achieve success and are often rewarded with demeaning behavior. For example, just look at this headline about Cheyenne Woods.

Tiger Woods niece, Cheyenne Woods, wins the ACC women’s golf tournament by 7 shots and the focus is if she is “hotter” than Skylar Diggins.

Duke's Krystal Thomas, right, works against an assistant coach during practice to get ready for DePaul at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday, March 26, 2011. (Michael Bryant/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

Two dreams have come true for Duke senior and The First Academy alum Krystal Thomas.

Krystal Thomas was drafted to the WNBA’s Seattle Storm Monday and she’s graduating from Duke University this May. Graduating from Duke had been a dream for Thomas since she was 5-years-old.

“When I look back, I wouldn’t have thought I would have been in this position six or seven years ago,” Thomas said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s such a blessing to have these opportunities in the first place.”

Only problem is, training camp for the Seattle Storm and college graduation are both on May 15.

Thomas, who majored in psychology with a double minor in sociology and cultural anthropology, said she will ask the Storm organization if she can come one day later. Interestingly enough, she also missed her high school graduation from Orlando’s The First Academy because she was participating in the U.S. Basketball trials.

“I guess it’d be fitting for me to miss it since I missed my high school graduation too,” Thomas joked.

Too nervous to watch the WNBA draft live, Thomas and Duke teammate Karima Christmas worked out during the ESPN broadcast when friends delivered the news that both had been selected.

Krystal Thomas, selected No. 36 in the third round, and teammate Jasmine Thomas, the No. 12 pick, were both selected to the Seattle Storm. Christmas was taken No. 23 in the second round by the Washington Mystics.

The Orlando Sentinel first followed Krystal Thomas’ amazing story of perseverance in high school when her mother died from complications of breast cancer in 2006, shortly before the state tournament. She and then teammate Alexa Deluzio, now a guard for Florida State, quickly became family when the Deluzios welcomed the Thomas children into their home.

Krystal Thomas has always been a young woman of character and integrity. She is the type of role model we want our young athletes to mimic. Congratulations to her and here’s hoping she finally gets to walk the graduation stage.

Jimmer Fredette of BYU receives the 2011 Naismith Trophy Presented by AT&T from David Christopher of AT&T during the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Program on April 3, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Forget Jimmer Fredette for a moment. Meet his dad, Al Fredette.

The poststar.com reported this gem of an article recently about Jimmer Fredette doing all his school work for BYU online because he’s become too famous and in the process collected some great quotes from Fredette’s father Al.

In one part of the story, the Fredettes spoke about the financial offers pouring in for their famous son, including an offer to compete in a celebrity golf tournament.

“They told him not to worry about it, that they would pair him with (former NBA star and now television commentator) Charles Barkley,” said Al Fredette. “Apparently, Charles can’t play at all.”

You have to love the unintentional jab at Charles Barkley.

Al Fredette is a financial planner and will handle Jimmer Fredette’s projected millions after the NBA draft, should the league avoid a lockout, of course. He told the paper they’d like to see their son compete for the Boston Celtics, but they’ve “got Rajon Rondo” so maybe the Utah Jazz would be a good fit.

“He should never have to worry about making a living for the rest of his life,” said Al Fredette. “If his career blows up, there could be foundations and stuff and he could really help a lot of people and he has some ideas about that.”

To be honest, the story reads like the Fredettes are drinking a little too much of the fame juice.

I’m having a hard time buying that Jimmer Fredette is too “cool for school” bit. Doesn’t that violate some sort of BYU integrity clause?

Far bigger athletic programs like Texas, USC and Florida have had college stars attend classes. Put it this way, if Tim Tebow could win championships, get up everyday for 5 a.m. workouts, speak at prisons, do missionary work in the Phillipines and still make going to class and tutoring sessions a priority, then Jimmer Fredette gets no pass from me.